France's President Emmanuel Macron at a visit to the European Forum on Computing Power, Quantum Sciences and Technologies, and Semiconductors in Bruyeres-le-Chatel, Paris on May 22, 2026.Pool photo by Ludovic Marin/AFP via Getty Images

Macron calls for US-style trade powers to protect strategic EU sectors – POLITICO

by · POLITICO

PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday said the EU should take inspiration from the U.S. on trade measures aimed at protecting strategic industries.

“We must accept to take protective measures, safeguard measures,” Macron said on Friday, calling for “the European equivalent of Section 301.”

Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 allows U.S. authorities to investigate unfair or discriminatory trade practices, and impose tariffs in response. It is also the legal basis that President Donald Trump plans to use to impose new tariffs when his current interim tariffs expire in late July.